Background: In Upper Volta, Voltan Democratic Union (U.D.V.) has become the major party in the country's new national assembly. The Interior Ministry said the U.D.V. had won 28 seats of the assembly's 57-seats, while the National Union for the defence of Democracy gained 13 seats and the Voltan Progressive Union, nine in a reported thirty percent turnout.

SYNOPSIS: Last Sunday (30 April) was polling day. Large crowds turned out at the Kadiog school in the capital of Ouagadougou, where Upper Volta's military leader, General Sangoule Lamizana, and his wife, cast their votes. These elections were a run-up to the Presidential elections, to be held on May 14 and 27. General Lamizana is already tipped for election as President he has considerable support in the country. The three other candidates for the Presidency all were involved in the national elections. Political activities resumed in Upper Volta last November in preparation for a return to fully-fledged civilian rule this month. Eight political parties contested the election in Upper Volta, the first West African nation after Senegal to bring back the multi-party system. In 1974, Upper Volta's constitution was suspended and the National dissolved. In a referendum six months ago, the country voted to return to democratic rule. Former President Maurice Yameogo was barred from participating after being found guilty of embezzlement in 1967. However his son led the National Union for Defence of Democracy Party.